Hey guys! I have a question regarding my 1997 ZJ.
Awhile back, I replaced the compact spare with a full sized spare. The threaded rod that secures the tire to the wall is barely long enough to protrude thru the black plastic retainer so I can get the wing nut on it. It works, but barely. I have perhaps 3 or 3 threads engaged in the wingnut. I am concerned as to whether this is secure enough to withstand the forces of a crash and keep the tire in place. I'd sure hate to catch a spare tire with my head during a crash.
I also found that to make the switch, I had to remove the threaded rod from the hole in the sheet metal flange that holds it to the wall and re-install it from the other side.
My questions:
1. Safe enough, or not?
2. I know some of these Jeeps came with full sized spares. I saw one of them at a junkyard yesterday. (I assume that it had a full sized spare because of the vinyl cover. The actual spare was missing). I found that the threaded rod from that Jeep did not give me any more length than mine does.
3. Is there a different set of parts for mounting a full size spare vs. a compact spare?
Thanks!

Which way is the tire facing? I have mine with the front of the tire/rim facing away so the back of the rim is facing outward. I have the threaded rod going through one of the lug nut holes and then I have a ratchet strap holding it down also.

Well, I found that I actually have more threads in the wingnut than I thought. Seven complete turns to remove the wingnut. Looks like the entire metal insert is engaged. Maybe this setup was designed for both compact and full sized spares.
I didn't realize until taking the photo how dirty my spare tire was. Going to clean it today.
Thanks for the replies.

Right after I bought the ZJ in 98 first thing I did was get a full size tire on a steel OE Cherokee style rim. No problem with tightening the retainer. I guess I should get a new spare tire seeing as how it's 15 years old LOL!

i was able to fit my full treadwright crawler through the middle of the hole and whith factory retainers but my rims are the old flat star. only issue i have is the rubber rubs just a little on the trim and leaves marks but i dont care. i have this jeep almost vertical on climbs and rock crawl and it never moves or makes a peep. i have tried various style gc rims and some are easier than other to use whith the plastic retainer and wing